Walton approves cost-cutting measure: District staff will now act as substitute teachers

KATIE TAMMEN | Daily News

Sunday

Sep 14, 2014 at 12:01 AMSep 14, 2014 at 12:01 PM

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — A new budget reduction effort is underway in Walton County Schools.

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — A new budget reduction effort is underway in Walton County Schools.

All district administrators, including Superintendent Carlene Anderson, can step in as substitute teachers – a move predicted to save the district about $10,000 this year.

“Schools have to make cuts ... and we’re going to help them do it,” Anderson said.

The 28 district staffers will each be permitted to sub up to four days a school year. In general they will fill in for absences planned in advance, according to Kay Dailey, who oversees the district’s curriculum department.

Nearly all the administrators have prior classroom experience, but it isn’t required for substitute teachers.

Walton County School Board policy states substitute teachers must hold a high school diploma, be aged 18 or older, pass fingerprinting and drug screenings and complete a training program.

The district considered the new approach at the recommendation of School Board member Mark Davis. His recommendation came after the cost of substitute teachers last year contributed to last-minute budget issues for the 2013-14 school year.

“I thought it’d be a great resource to use,” Davis said. “I was a little worried I’d get a lot of pushback on this.”

The opposite appears to have happened and staffers were more than ready to slip into the temporary roles.

“It’s a fun idea,” said Anderson, who hasn’t taught in more than 20 years. “We’re looking forward to it.”